Creator Hiro Mashima is bringing back the beloved Fairy Tail manga after nine years. A new short-term series will begin in Weekly Shonen Magazine this summer as part of the franchise’s 20th anniversary celebration.
The official announcement arrived on April 7, 2026, confirming that Mashima will both write and draw the new story. This marks his first full return to illustrating the series since the original manga ended in 2017.
The new Fairy Tail manga is scheduled to launch in Weekly Shonen Magazine issues 36 and 37, which hits store shelves on August 5, 2026. The series is described as a “short-term intensive serialization,” meaning fans can expect a limited run of chapters rather than a long ongoing story.
New Adventure Follows Natsu and His Guild Mates
The upcoming story will once again feature Natsu Dragneel, Lucy Heartfilia, Happy, Erza Scarlet, Gray Fullbuster, Wendy Marvell, and Carla on a brand new adventure. The official 20th anniversary website confirmed that the short series will deliver a “new story spun by Natsu and his friends.”
A special promotional video was released alongside the announcement, giving fans a first look at what is coming. The 20th anniversary celebration also includes a character popularity poll where fans can vote for their favorite Fairy Tail member. The character who ranks first will receive a special acrylic stand, with 10 lucky winners chosen by lottery.
“So, the fact that we can celebrate a manga that ended quite some time ago is all thanks to the unwavering support of our readers,” Hiro Mashima said in the official announcement. “We’re preparing lots of new merchandise and events from this year through next year, so please look forward to them. Let’s all celebrate the 20th anniversary together! I’m fired up!”
Fairy Tail 100 Years Quest Still Continues
While this new short series is big news, it is not replacing the ongoing sequel. Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest remains in serialization, with Atsuo Ueda handling the art while Mashima provides the original story. The sequel manga started in July 2018 and continues to release new chapters regularly.
The latest chapter of 100 Years Quest was published on January 6, 2026. The anime adaptation by J.C. Staff ran for 25 episodes from July 2024 to January 2025. A second season has not yet been announced.
The original Fairy Tail manga ran in Weekly Shonen Magazine from 2006 to 2017, selling over 72 million copies worldwide. The series has spawned three TV anime adaptations, multiple films, video games including Fairy Tail 2 released in December 2024, and countless merchandise.
20th Anniversary Events and Merchandise Coming
Mashima’s return to the magazine is just one part of the anniversary celebration. Kodansha has planned multiple events throughout 2026 and into 2027.
The creator will hold autograph sessions across five Japanese cities: Hokkaido, Tokyo, Aichi, Osaka, and Fukuoka. A 20th Anniversary Special Art Exhibition is currently running in major cities, displaying newly created artwork for the event.
A new Erza Scarlet figure is also in the works. Sega’s Yumemirize brand will release a bunny outfit version of the Fairy Tail strongest female wizard. The prize figure is scheduled to arrive in game centers across Japan around October 2026.
Starting April 11, 2026, all 328 episodes of the original Fairy Tail anime will stream for free on YouTube’s Anime Times Channel. The episodes will update every Saturday at 10:30 AM Japan time, giving new and old fans a chance to experience the entire series.
Five volumes of the original manga are also available to read digitally for free until April 21, 2026.
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What Fans Know About the New Story So Far
Details about the plot remain limited. The announcement only confirms that the short series follows Natsu and his companions. Since this is a celebration of the 20th anniversary, many expect a story that honors the series’ legacy while delivering the action and friendship themes that made Fairy Tail popular worldwide.
The original manga ended with Chapter 545 on July 26, 2017. The sequel, 100 Years Quest, picks up directly from that point, following the guild as they take on the toughest job in history. Mashima has stayed busy with other projects including Edens Zero, which ran for 293 chapters from 2018 to 2024, and Dead Rock.
For global fans, the new chapters will likely be available on K MANGA, Kodansha’s official manga platform, as well as other digital services that carry Weekly Shonen Magazine content. English translations typically follow the Japanese release schedule.
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